Healthy Living: Childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions

Published 6:00 pm, Sunday, November 13, 2011

Childhood obesity can lead to health problems both right away and years later. The professionals at Premier Pediatrics can help. Call 498-2900 for an appointment. They are at 1900 W. Wall St, Ste. A.

Childhood obesity can lead to health problems both right away and years later. The professionals at Premier Pediatrics can help. Call 498-2900 for an appointment. They are at 1900 W. Wall St, Ste. A.

Healthy Living: Childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Over the last 30 years, childhood obesity has increased at an alarming rate—more than tripling during that time frame. As of 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly 20 percent of children 6-11 years old were obese and 18 percent of adolescents aged 12-19 were in that category.

The professionals at Premier Pediatrics are ready to help the increasing number of overweight and obese children coming to their office.

. They encourage parents to be aware of not only the harm and potential harm obesity can cause, but also that it does not have to be this way.

One question to ask is, “What in society is different today from 1980?”

There are many, but two that come to the surface in regards to increases in obesity are a decline in sports participation and an increase in video game/computer use.

In 1980 there were few video games, none of which were very realistic or complex. Now they involve virtual worlds and have been shown to be very addicting in many cases. Also in those years there was much more participation in sports like soccer, basketball, baseball and others—and that only accounts for “organized” sports. Activities like running or walking with friends do not show up on a tally sheet, but they do burn calories.

At its simplest level, say the Premier Pediatrics staff, obesity and overweight conditions come about by the intake of more calories than are burned. Fixing the problem may not be so simple. Parents can encourage more activity time by limiting video game/computer time and by helping their children make better nutritional choices—but there may be emotional issues as well. There may be cases in which counseling is needed in order to find and solve other issues.

Solving obesity is vital because it leads to so many health challenges both during childhood and throughout life. According to the CDC:

Immediate health effects:

Obese youth are more likely to have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. In a population-based sample of 5- to 17-year-olds, 70 percent of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Obese adolescents are more likely to have prediabetes, a condition in which blood glucose levels indicate a high risk for development of diabetes.

Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.

Long-term health effects:

Children and adolescents who are obese are likely to be obese as adults and are therefore more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. One study showed that children who became obese as early as age 2 were more likely to be obese as adults.

Overweight and obesity are associated with increased risk for many types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, gall bladder, thyroid, ovary, cervix, and prostate, as well as multiple myeloma and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Premier Pediatrics stresses that more activity and healthier eating are the pathway to better health in childhood and for a lifetime. If your child is overweight or obese, please consult with your pediatrician, who can direct you to lifestyle changes and to books and other material to help you start and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Premier Pediatrics is located at 1900 West Wall St., Ste. A. The phone number is 498-2900.